Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Dude Looks Like A Lady ❯ Chapter Eighty ( Chapter 80 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Innocence is Futile

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Dude Looks Like A Lady
By Raven Pan and Alison Sky

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Chapter Eighty
April 1, 800 - Tuesday

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"Yeah that's what Bra said, Dad - Trunks changed his schedule so Goten could get more sleep," Pan said, talking with her father beside the open window as she washed the breakfast dishes.

"Well, at least he shows that he cares for the kids, but I'm not sure Goten will enjoy this news," Gohan stated.

"Yeah, don't tell him, he'll probably throw a fit," Pan sighed. "Bra said he figured it'd help Goten out getting more sleep, plus if he gets more sleep, he can have fun with the kids more and not be so tired."

"Yeah, but if Trunks takes the kids in the morning, and Goten works at 5, when does Goten get to see his kids now?" Gohan asked.

That's what I would like to know, Goten thought, leaning against the wall of the house, having gotten home early, heard his name, and decided to see what was behing said before walking inside.

"Well, he gets the kids from real early until, like, ten or eleven, then Goten gets them for the bulk of the day, I guess," Pan shrugged.

Gohan sighed. "I still don't think it's a good idea..."

"Well, you could talk to him, I guess," Pan shrugged, drying some of the dishes to put them away.

"Maybe I will. Trunks is going to be here soon, then, right?"

"Bout ten minutes, I think." Pan nodded.

"Good... Goten's working a double, so I'll be able to talk some sense into Trunks and hopefully Goten won't find out." Gohan turned the water off and dried his hands.

"Good plan, Dad," Pan smiled.

Not if I don't get to him first, Goten growled.

"Though I don't see why it's such a big deal," she shrugged, "He's still only getting them for a couple of hours."

"I know, and he's trying to help... but it's going to make Goten think that Trunks doesn't think Goten can take care of himself."

"Bra tried to talk him out of it," Pan offered. "Y'know, since Uncle Goten's pretty much written him out of his life, why would he want to help. He said he didn't know, he just did - then Gotenks said the cutest thing!"

"What's that?" Gohan asked.

"Papa love Mama. Mama love Papa."

Goten felt a pain in his heart.

"Aww. That kid... he doesn't talk much, but when he does..." Gohan smiled.

"He says the truth," Pan decided. "Trunks didn't yell at him, he just kissed his head. We gotta figure something out, they can't keep fighting, Dad. Can't you fix it?"

"I can't fix a heart, Pan," Gohan explained. "I'm afraid for Goten... I can say everything to him, but unless he lets himself listen, he won't hear."

"This whole thing sucks," Pan sighed, putting the last of the dishes away. "I gotta go get ready for school Dad."

"You finished your homework, right?" Gohan asked, his voice fading as he followed Pan into the main part of the house.

A familiar ki-signature appeared in the skyline.

Goten looked up, snarling a bit.

Trunks, oblivious to what his, supposedly, helpful decision was about to do to his life, continued on his flight toward the Son homestead. It was his birthday, he was going to see his kids... life was tolerable, if not just a bit happy. Seeing his kids was always the bright point in every day. And starting off his day with seeing the kids, as he had for the past week, was wonderful.

With a push off, Goten flew up into the air to meet him head on, skidding to a stop and hovered in Trunks's path, his arms crossed.

Trunks came to a swift stop, blinking when Goten was in his path, keeping from colliding. His smile died on his lips as he saw the scowl he was getting, and he swallowed hard. "Hi."

"What do you think you're doing?" Goten asked.

"I... was coming to see the kids," he half smiled.

"You get the kids at 5." Goten pointed out.

"I've been coming to see them in the morning... I've been working later again."

Goten's eyes narrowed. "Really?"

Trunks nodded, "yeah...."

"And my job hours have NOTHING to do with it, do they?" Goten asked.

He looked aside, "Not entirely...."

Goten just narrowed his eyes, knowing how to read Trunks like a book.

He sighed, looking back at Goten. "Okay, it did a little bit, but it's not the only reason!"

"You don't think I can take care of myself, do you?"

"I do!" Trunks spread his hands to either side. "I know you can, but well.. I just wanted to help out."

"I don't NEED your help!" Goten shouted.

Trunks cringed, but didn't back off. "I.. I know, I just-"

"You what?" Goten asked. "You wanted to control my life again? Wanted to tell me how to take care of myself? Tell me how to live my fucken life?!"

"No!" Trunks answered. "I just wanted to be a part of it, even if it was by not being in it at all!"

"You want to be a part of my life, Trunks? Huh? Do you really want to be a part of my life?" Goten growled.

"Well, I..." Trunks stammered, backing off just a little at Goten's growling.

Goten darted forward, grabbing Trunks by his shirtfront and pulled him close. "You really want to be a part of my life?" he growled. "Look at me, you really want to be a part of this, after everything you've done to me already?"

"Yes," Trunks whispered, cringing a bit from Goten - all too well remembering the last time they'd been quite this close.

Goten pulled Trunks real close. "Then find a way to kill yourself, so I can wish my wife back, because I knew she actually loved me and cared about me." Goten growled threateningly.

Trunks winced. "But I do care about you, Goten..." he whispered. "And I already tried to do that, but I was forced to make a promise I wouldn't. However if that's what you really want, then you can kill me..." he closed his eyes, turning his head so he didn't have to look at the anger in his eyes.

Goten snarled and powered up a bit. "My pleasure..." he stated, his hand forming a kiblast.

Trunks looked up at Goten and let his hands rest at his sides, making no move to stop him, sadness in his eyes.

"GOTEN!" Gohan shouted, taking to the air and rushing foreward, grabbing his younger brother around his arms.

"LET ME GO GOHAN!" Goten shouted.

"You're not thinking, Goten. Stop this now!" Gohan ordered.

"Let him go," Trunks said softly. "He wants me dead."

"Like that's going to solve anything!" Gohan shouted. "Power down NOW Goten."

"LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE, GOHAN!" Goten shouted, then screamed and went to SSJ, throwing back Gohan and Trunks with the surge of power.

Trunks tumbled in the air, then came back up close to Goten again, powered down. "Go on, Goten. You hate me so much, kill me and put us out of both our misery," he said, a tear streaking down his cheek.

Gohan powered up as well, flying up between the two of them. "Are you both crazy?! You're children are down there!"

"MY children need their mother... not an UNCLE!" Goten shouted. "I WANT MY WIFE BACK!"

Trunks darted around Gohan and floated right in front of Goten. "Look me in the eye, Goten... and tell me what you feel for me, if anything?"

Goten's eyes narrowed. "Nothing. I don't want anything to do with you ever again, Trunks Briefs. I hate you for what you've done to me... what you've turned me into... and worst off, I hate you for not being able to keep your promise to me."

Trunks clenched his hands into fists at his sides, to keep from crying. "And what of the children?" he asked softly.

"If I had anything to do with it, I wouldn't let you ever see them again... I don't need you breaking their hearts like you did mine." Goten snarled. "Just be lucky your sometimes lover is stronger than me and thinks he knows it all."

Trunks lowered his head. "Tell them I love them," he said softly, turning and flying away as swiftly as he could.

Gohan glared at Goten. "He is JUST as much their parent as you are, Goten. He deserves to see his children."

"Their birth certificates say Trina is their mother. When Trina comes back... then they will see him." Goten snarled, his eyes showing a deep anger that borderlined on insanity in them. He swiftly turned and started inside.

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When Trunks got back to capsule corp, he silently made his way straight to his room, slamming the door and quickly going about changing for work. He would respect Goten's wish... and the only way he could survive now, that he could think, was to work himself to death.

Vegeta was in the kitchen when he heard the door slam. He raised an eyebrow, then started upstairs.

Trunks furiously washed his face, toweling it dry to scrub off the tears, forcing himself to shut down so no more would come in their place, pulling down his work clothes.

Vegeta opened the door. "Boy?" he called into the room.

"What!?" Trunks shot back in a very barking tone, pulling off his t-shirt and grabbing his dress shirt to button up.

"What's wrong?" he asked, looking at Trunks with a raised eyebrow.

"Nothing," Trunks bit out, obviously lying as he worked at the buttons of his shirt.

"Where are my grandkids?"

"At their home," Trunks muttered, breaking a button and tearing his shirt off, going for another.

"They are supposed to be here." Vegeta stated.

Trunks, glared at his father. "I don't have any right to them anymore - they're with their father," He bit out, putting on the shirt and concentrating on the buttons.

"What the fuck do you mean you don't have the right to them... they are YOUR damn kids!" Vegeta growled.

"Goten doens't want me to have anything to do with him OR them ever again," Trunks said, his tone reaching it's quiet level of pure anger and frustration. "And as for their birth certificates... I have no legal right to them," he added sadly.

"You and I know that is bullshit, Trunks," Vegeta growled. "I have half a mind to take Kakkarot's brat out and teach him a thing or two..."

"Don't," Trunks sighed. "He's been through enough as it is. It's my own fault."

"And how is this YOUR fault, brat?"

"I changed my schedule in attempt to accomodate his," Trunks answered.

"And I take it it didn't."

"I have no right to attempt to interfere with his life... even if it is in attempt to make it easier."

"These are your children. You are just going to leave them with him? he is unstable, and you're going to leave them there?!" Vegeta shouted.

"The others are there with him," Trunks closed his eyes pained. "Things just get worse when I'm around. If not being there can finally give them some kind of stability.... normalcy."

"If you do that... then you don't deserve to be their parent. No father or mother would abandon their child like that."

"I'm not abandoning them!" Trunks looked up, fire burning in his eyes as he growled. "I'm trying to do the best I can for them!"

"And that is by abandoning them with the Son family."

"It's by letting them at least have one parent in their lives - and Goten will be less angry if I'm not around. They love him, Dad, I can't take them away from him.

"They love you too, but you'll let HIM take them away from YOU." Vegeta's eyes narrowed.

"Because Goten's their papa, and he deserves them just as much as I do! I want him to be happy, Dad! He can't be happy if I'm around!"

Vegeta sighed. "Boy... You can't have everyone be happy. You have to put yourself in first."

"I can't put myself first when it comes to Goten. I never can... I," Trunks shook his head, and pulled on his vest. "He'll always come first," he muttered. "Always has...."

"And why is that?"

"Because I..." Trunks's voice was barely able to be caught in the rustle of cloth as he put on his jacket, "I need him to be happy... more than anything."

Vegeta observed his son, then chuckled. "You really are something else, boy."

"What," Trunks scowled, putting on his tie.

"You're just like me... I never thought it possible, but you are."

"What are you talking about," Trunks frowned, tucking his tie beneath his vest.

"When I met your mother... when we had you... your mother loved and hated me at the same time... I enjoyed pissing her off alot back then." Vegeta smirked.

"I've heard stories," Trunks nodded, crossing his arms as he listened... technically he wasn't due at work for another few hours.

"I still love to piss her off," Vegeta smirked, then looked back to his soon. "But you were always the one I cared about. Sure, I didn't show it... I didn't want you growing up weak like those baka sons of Kakkarot... but I watched over you, made sure what I did was right in your eyes. I became a good guy because of you, brat."

Trunks smirked, "If you're such a good guy, then answer me one question, truthfully...."

"What's that?"

"What would you do... if someone wished me into a woman once more?"

Vegeta closed his eyes a moment, and sighed. "You know, kakkarot brought that same one up a few months ago...."

"What would you do, Dad? Would you find a way to return me to being a man again?" Trunks pressed.

"I would let you be what you want to be, Trunks." Vegeta said after a moment. "You're a grown man now... your life is what you want it to be."

Trunks watched him a moment, trying to be sure he was telling the truth.

"Boy... those children need you," Vegeta said. "When I changed you back... I didn't know them. I just wanted my son back the way he was. But now... after watching you for years... I see that I can never have my son back the way I want him...."

"Would you disown me if I were to become a woman again, Dad?" Trunks asked softly.

Vegeta shook his head. "No."

Trunks nodded, "Is mom down in the lab?" he asked - his mood lightening suddenly.

Vegeta nodded. "Just do me a favor, Trunks..." he said softly.

"What's that?" He asked.

"Whatever you choose.... remember that you will always be my son." Vegeta looked at the floor. He didn't want to let too much emotion show.

Trunks nodded, "I will." He said, passing his father and heading down to find his mother - knowing that his own emotion was about to get the better of him.

Vegeta stood up and looked at himself in the mirrors. He sighed. "Damn family... giving me these stupid emotions...."

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Trunks made his way down to the lab, and knocked on the door. "Mom?"

"I'm in here honey," Bulma said from beneath a speeder.

"Is the dragon radar still in the cabinet?"

"Yes it is... just make sure you.... wait a sec..." Bulma pushed herself out and looked up at Trunks. "What are you planning on doing with that, mister?"

"Uhm... look for dragonballs?"

"Trunks..."

"Well, that's what it's for, isn't it?"

"What are you planning on doing with the dragonballs, Trunks."

"Why do you want to know?" he asked, moving to the cabinet.

"Because it's my dragon radar."

"I plan on gathering them," He told her.

"For what wish?"

"That's up for Goten to decide, I'm going to give them to him," he unlocked the cabinet and found the radar. "Thanks Mom!" he turned to escape.

"Goten to decide?" Bulma raised an eyebrow.

"What the wish is, I'm just going to get them for him," He said with a smile. "I gotta head out to work, I'll see you later!" he called, pocketing the radar and leaving the lab.

Bulma shook her head, then went back to work, knowing she would find out sooner or later.

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April 11, 800 - Friday

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Truten squealed, dragging a small dinosaur by the nostril through the backyard.

Goten was sitting at the outside desk, working on reading a medical journal as the twins played at his feet.

"Papa, Look!!" Truten squealed. The loud whining roar of the baby t-rex she was dragging was quite loud in the clearing.

Goten turned. "Truten! let it go!" Goten stood up. "It doesn't like you pulling like that."

Truten wasn't listening though, trying to use the nostrils as foot-holds to climb up onto it.

"TRUTEN!" Goten shouted, walking over. "Let it go NOW!"

Truten was giggling, hanging onto either side of its head as it whimpered and lay down, shaking it's head in attempt to get her off, and she squealed in delight.

Goten got there and grabbed her by the back of her shirt. "I SAID LET GO!" he shouted, pulling her free.

"Bye bye!!!" Truten giggled and waved as the dino got up and ran away as fast as it could.

Goten put Truten on the ground and turned her to face him. "Why didn't you listen to me?" he asked, holding her shoulders as he made her face him, anger in his eyes.

"Was fun!" she laughed. "His eyeballs got SO BIG!" she held out her hands.

"You could have hurt him!" Goten stated. "Didn't you hear him crying?!"

Truten blinked, "He cried? But we was playing!"

"You were pulling on his body, of course he was crying! He was in pain!"

"Oh... I go say sorry!" she said, pulling free to run off after the t-rex baby.

Goten grabbed her arm. "You're going to stay here, young lady."

"But I gotta say sorry!!!" she looked at him confused.

"He's already long gone, and you're not supposed to go wandering." Goten stated firmly.

She blinked, then grabbed his hand with her free one, "C'mon, we'll play!"

"I can't play, Truten. I have to work." He started to pull her back into the yard. "Play with your brother and sister."

She stomped her foot, setting her heels in the ground. "No, wanna play in trees!

"NO! IN the yard, now." Goten stated with fustration.

"TREES! Wanna climb!"

Goten looked down at her. "Stop this now, Truten, or I'll send you to your room."

She stuck out her lip and pulled back again, her eyes defiant and very much like.... Trunks's.

"Go play with your brother and sister." He pushed her towards the lawn.

She pouted, then crossed her arms, stomping toward where the twins were happily playing in the grass near the house.

Goten sighed, then went and sat back at the desk with his magazine.

Truten waited until he did so, then giggled as she ran off back for the trees.

Goten's eyes darted to her movement and he growled. "TRUTEN!" he shouted sternly, standing up, slamming his hands down on the treestump in anger. The tree-stump cracked

She squealed and sped up, running as fast as she could

Goten took off, then landed in front of her, his eyes blazing. "I. Said. No." he warned.

She blinked, then tried to run through his legs.

Goten grabbed her arm and pulled her back, not too gently. "Damnit Truten. I said no!"

"OW!" She shrieked, pulling to get away and stomping on his foot. "Lemme go!"

"No. You're going to your room right now," Goten stated, dragging her back to the house. "I don't know what's wrong with you. You've never behaved this badly before."

"WANT UNCLE!!!" Truten yelled.

"Yeah? Well, he's not coming." Goten snapped.

"But Papa! WANT UNCLE!!!" she pulled again, trying to get away.

Goten skidded to a stop and stared down at her. "Why? What's so special about your uncle that you want him more than me, huh?" Goten asked.

"Uncle don't yell!"

Goten snorted. "If you behaved and listened to me, I wouldn't have to yell either."

"Where's Uncle?"

"He's away," Goten stated.

"Why?"

"Because he's sick," Goten lied.

"Then you gotta take care of him!" Truten told him with wide eyes.

"He can take care of himself," Goten growled.

"I wanna see him! We can give soup! Uncle always gives me soup when I feel sick!"

"He has soup." Goten got the the door of the house and went to open it. "Upstairs, now."

"No, where's Uncle!'

"Will you stop! Uncle this, Uncle that... I'm here, I'm your father and what I say goes, and I say upstairs NOW!" Goten shouted.

"I WANNA SEE UNCLE!" Truten screamed back.

Goten tried to keep his ki from raising. "You will see him when I'm damned well ready for him to see you," Goten growled warningly.

"But I wanna see him NOW! I didn't see him for SO LONG!!" Truten yelled.

"Stop it." Goten warned, his voice low.

The twins were watching, sitting still.

"No," Truten crossed her arms, yet again looking very Trunks-ish. "I wanna see Uncle, an I wanna see Uncle NOW Papa!"

"You will not talk to me like that," Goten warned her. "Get inside and to your room right now."

She glared up at him, "Want Uncle."

"No."

"Yes!"

Goten's hand move faster then anyone could have followed as he slapped his daughter across her cheek. "I SAID NO!" he shouted, then stopped and blinked, looking at his hand, then daughter.

She put her hand over her reddened cheek, already bruising, then turned and climbed up the stairs as fast as she could, crying as she did so.

Goten just stared at his hand and fell to his knees, curling a bit into himself as he fought back tears of his own. "I'm sorry..." he said softly. "I'm sorry..."

The twins just watched wide eyed, then started to cry. But Goten didn't move, his own body shaking.

And the sound of Truten crying in her room was added to the still afternoon air.

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THAT EVENING

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Goten sat in the livingroom, curled up a bit in a chair. He had taken the night off of work, and seemed to be staring at his knees.

Truten came out of her room after a while, and was playing with her toys, careful not to mention her uncle again. She picked up a pretty looking stone from her grandmother's curio shelf near the fire-place, and brought it over to her father. "Here Papa," she said quietly, a purple bruise over the left side of her face. "All better?" she smiled at him.

Goten looked up at her, tears in his eyes. He opened up his arms a bit, offering for her to crawl up into his lap.

Truten hesitated a second, then did so, climbing into his lap. "I sorry," She said, hugging him and kissing his cheek.

Goten hugged her tightly, hiding his eyes in her shoulder. "I'm so sorry cutie... I didn't mean to hurt you," he whispered to her. "I love you so much...."

"My love you too, Papa," she said, patting his chest.

Goten just held his daughter close. "I'm so sorry..." he just muttered over and over again.

Truten patted him again. "Hungry?"

"Not really," Goten said softly.

"Papa sick?" she asked, putting her little hand on his forehead, like he did with her when she was unwell.

"No.... just scared...." Goten sighed, leaning back and snuggled his daughter.

"Why?"

"I think.... I got too angry... I shouldn't have..." he said softly.

"Eat, it makes you feel better, Papa," she told him with a smile.

"What did grandma cook for dinner?" Goten smiled

"Dino tail an eel stew!" She grinned.

Goten chuckled. "Your favorite."

Truten nodded, "C'mon!"

Goten sighed, then let Truten pull him to his feet. "Ok, ok, I'm coming..."

She grinned, pulling him to the other room, where Videl and Pan were strapping the twins into their highchairs.

Gohan was helping stir the stew and turned around. "Ah, there you two are..." he paused, looking at Truten's cheek. "What happened?"

Truten blinked, then tugged on her Papa's hand again to lead him to the table. "I falled."

"Fell?" Gohan looked at it closer, seeing the bruise making a very familiar shape.

"Uh huh!" Truten grinned, climbing up into her chair. Videl and Pan didn't see, still struggling with the twins, and trying to give them their food so they wouldn't holler.

Gohan looked at Goten, who sat down next to her, very quiet, then back. "You know you don't have to make up stories, Truten," Gohan stated, and Goten's eyes lowered a bit more

"But I DID fall today!" Truten pointed out. Granted it was off of a log she was tryinig to balance beam, but still.

"It's ok, Truten..." Goten said softly.

Truten smiled, thinking he was telling her she did a good job covering.

Gohan put the pan down. "Goten, can I see you outside a moment?"

Goten nodded, standing up and walking before Gohan outside. Once the door was shut, Gohan grabbed Goten by the shirt and pulled him close. "What the hell do you think you were doing, Goten?! That's your daughter!"

"I know..." Goten said softly, his voice holding a defeated tone. "I got so angry... I didn't know it happened until afterwards... I... I don't know what's wrong with me, Gohan...."

"You need help, Goten. Seriously." Gohan stated.

"I know."

"And you need to forgive Trunks and let him back into your life."

Goten's head shot up. "I can't!" he stated.

"Why not?"

"He doesn't care for me, Gohan! If I keep with him, I'm just going to keep getting hurt and I'm tired of hurting so much..." Goten said, and he leaned against his brother. Gohan, a bit shocked, hugged Goten close to him.

"What are you talking about, Goten? Trunks cares alot for you...."

Goten took a shuddering breath. "He cares about me as a friend, Gohan... but I can't take it anymore... I want him as my wife again.... or husband with me as a wife... it just... I felt whole then... I want that feeling back, and I can't get it with anyone else... and if we're both guys, he won't give it to me either."

Gohan hugged his brother to him. "You need to talk to him, Goten... tell him how you're feeling...."

"I've tried!" Goten complained. "But he won't listen... Gohan, I just want my family back... back the way it was before Vegeta fucked it all up...."

"Then we will figure out a way to make him listen," Gohan said softly. "And we'll come to an agreement. But, you have to talk to him, ok?"

"Not yet..." Goten said. "I need time... need to figure out things."

"Ok. Trunks is leaving for a business trip soon. Think when he comes back we can try?"

Goten nodded. "Yeah... that could work."

"Boys!" Chichi called from the door. "Come in for supper!"

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TBC - Please Review!!!